Abstract: Vehicles, such as all terrain vehicles, can be provided with a frame and a fender assembly. The fender assembly can have layered fender panels attached together with a bolt and T-nut. A channel can be formed between the fender panels to facilitate passage of fluid along a predetermined pathway. A seat includes a compression surface for sandwiching the fender assembly with respect to the frame. Front and rear fender assemblies can be attached to the frame by a midpoint fastener passing through respective apertures in each of the front and rear fender assemblies, through a grommet, and into the frame. A stay assembly attaches a mudguard to the fender assembly, and can involve a swivel clip. Methods are also provided.

Abstract: Vehicles, such as all terrain vehicles, can be provided with a frame and a fender assembly. The fender assembly can have layered fender panels attached together with a bolt and T-nut. A channel can be formed between the fender panels to facilitate passage of fluid along a predetermined pathway. A seat includes a compression surface for sandwiching the fender assembly with respect to the frame. Front and rear fender assemblies can be attached to the frame by a midpoint fastener passing through respective apertures in each of the front and rear fender assemblies, through a grommet, and into the frame. A stay assembly attaches a mudguard to the fender assembly, and can involve a swivel clip. Methods are also provided.

Abstract: A method of controlling a reduction of an amount of fuel supplied to an engine provided to a motor vehicle with an automatic transmission separated from the engine by a torque converter is provided. The method includes the step of sensing commencement of a deceleration state during which an amount of the fuel supplied to the engine is to be reduced to an amount that is less than an amount of fuel being delivered to the engine immediately prior to the deceleration state. Whether synchronization of an engine output shaft and a transmission input shaft is appropriate under the deceleration stat is also to be determined.

Abstract: A path generator includes a map generator for generating a map for a movement space based on information on the position and shape of a mobile object, an obstacle, and a target object. It also includes a composite potential generator for calculating an attractive potential and a repulsive potential based on relative positional relationship among the mobile object, the obstacle, and the destination position, and generating a composite potential that is a sum of the attractive potential and the repulsive potential. A local minimum determination unit performs a path search in the map based on the composite potential and determines whether a convergence position of the path search is a local minimum. If it is, a phantom potential generator generates a phantom potential to be added to the potential of the convergence position. If the convergence position is the destination position, a path generator generates a movement path for the mobile object based on the result of the path search.

Abstract: A moveable guard assembly is configured for installation upon an ATV having a horizontal carrier rack. The movable guard assembly comprises a blocking member and a first securement mechanism. The blocking member is configured for attachment to a front end of the all terrain vehicle in a position adjacent to the horizontal carrier rack. The blocking member is adjustable through movement between a first position in which the blocking member is operable to perform a guard function for protecting at least a portion of the front end of the all terrain vehicle, and a second position in which the blocking member is operable to provide additional support for cargo placed upon the horizontal carrier rack. The first securement mechanism is configured to selectively retain the blocking member in at least one of the first position and the second position. An ATV including the moveable guard assembly is also provided.

Abstract: Vehicles, such as all terrain vehicles, can be provided with a frame and a fender assembly. The fender assembly can have layered fender panels attached together with a bolt and T-nut. A channel can be formed between the fender panels to facilitate passage of fluid along a predetermined pathway. A seat includes a compression surface for sandwiching the fender assembly with respect to the frame. Front and rear fender assemblies can be attached to the frame by a midpoint fastener passing through respective apertures in each of the front and rear fender assemblies, through a grommet, and into the frame. A stay assembly attaches a mudguard to the fender assembly, and can involve a swivel clip. Methods are also provided.

Abstract: A seat for a vehicle includes a cushion, a base and a tab. The base supports the cushion and defines a chamber having an opening. The chamber is configured to provide a storage location for a manual and the opening is configured to accommodate passage of a manual to and from the chamber. The tab is provided adjacent to the opening and is moveable between a first position in which the tab blocks a manual from passing through the opening, and a second position in which the tab allows a manual to pass through the opening. A receptacle facilitates storage of a manual beneath the seat of a vehicle. A vehicle includes a seat, a chamber and a tab.

Abstract: In a route generating system for an autonomous mobile robot, a plurality of nodes are designated within an area of movement of the robot and an edge is defined between a pair of nodes only if a distance from the one node to the other node is less than a threshold value and there is no obstacle on a line drawn between the one point and the other point. Because the route is generated from a collection of pre-defined edges which are free from obstacles and are selected so as to optimize the generated route, the robot is enabled to travel from the current position to the destination in a safe and optimum fashion. Furthermore, the edges are defined by connecting only those nodes that are relatively close to each other, the candidates of the edges for generating a route can be reduced to a small number and this reduces computational loads. Also, because the route can be selected in a relatively intelligent manner so as to optimize a certain criterion, a clumsy appearance in the movement of the robot can be avoided.

Abstract: Vehicles, such as all terrain vehicles, can be provided with a frame and a fender assembly. The fender assembly can have layered fender panels attached together with a bolt and T-nut. A channel can be formed between the fender panels to facilitate passage of fluid along a predetermined pathway. A seat includes a compression surface for sandwiching the fender assembly with respect to the frame. Front and rear fender assemblies can be attached to the frame by a midpoint fastener passing through respective apertures in each of the front and rear fender assemblies, through a grommet, and into the frame. A stay assembly attaches a mudguard to the fender assembly, and can involve a swivel clip. Methods are also provided.

Abstract: A support structure for a spare tire on a vehicle. A shell is attached to the vehicle and includes first and second end portions and a bottom portion extending at least partially between the first and second end portions. The shell at least partially defines a spare tire storage chamber and includes an opening providing access to the storage chamber, wherein the opening is adjacent to the first end portion. The support member is slidably positioned above the bottom portion and is movable back and forth along a movement path from a first position in which the support member is substantially disposed within the shell and a second position in which the support member is at least partially disposed outside the shell. In certain embodiments, a retention member can be fixedly attached to the shell. In further embodiments, the support member and the shell have a cooperative locking configuration.

Abstract: An article retention band includes a ring, a lever, and a clasp. The ring has an inner circumference and is configured to encircle and apply a compressive force around an exterior circumference of an article. The lever is attached to the ring and has an end surface. The lever is moveable between a first position in which the end surface is spaced from the ring and a second position in which the end surface is adjacent to the ring. Movement of the lever from the first position to the second position results in a reduction of the inner circumference of the ring. A clasp is configured for selectively retaining the lever in the second position such that the clasp at least partially covers the end surface of the lever. A drive assembly and a vehicle having a drive assembly are also provided.

Abstract: A method is provided for measuring impact toughness of a tie rod end through use of a pendulum-type impact testing machine. The method includes attaching a first member of the tie rod end with respect to a base of the pendulum-type impact testing machine. The pendulum-type impact testing machine is operated such that the hammer impacts the second member of the tie rod end. Force arising from the impact of the hammer upon the second member of the tie rod end is measured. A support apparatus is also provided for supporting the tie rod end in a position to receive contact from the hammer of the pendulum-type impact testing machine.

Abstract: A moveable guard assembly is configured for installation upon an ATV having a horizontal carrier rack. The movable guard assembly comprises a blocking member and a first securement mechanism. The blocking member is configured for attachment to a front end of the all terrain vehicle in a position adjacent to the horizontal carrier rack. The blocking member is adjustable through movement between a first position in which the blocking member is operable to perform a guard function for protecting at least a portion of the front end of the all terrain vehicle, and a second position in which the blocking member is operable to provide additional support for cargo placed upon the horizontal carrier rack. The first securement mechanism is configured to selectively retain the blocking member in at least one of the first position and the second position. An ATV including the moveable guard assembly is also provided.

Abstract: A system and method for off route processing is disclosed. The system and method can be used to provide information when an off route condition occurs. The system and method can include provisions to make modifications in the way navigation information is displayed. The system and method can also provide a selectable re-route mode and selectable re-route information.